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Talk to More Th>n about fire safety in your home - £240 voucher to be won NOW CLOSED

135 replies

MichelleMumsnet · 02/12/2013 11:18

More Th>n would like to find out what tips Mumsnetters have to improve fire safety in their homes.

Here’s what More Th>n have to say, "Our Helping Hands series is about providing little hints and tips that can make everyday life a little bit easier. But we also want to share advice that can help with more important matters, like Fire Safety. It's a situation we all hope never to find ourselves in, but it's important to have a plan in place should a fire break out in your home to keep you and your loved ones safe. If you have any other safety advice and ideas, we'd love to hear them."

To get some inspiration, watch the video below and share your own tips on this thread.



What do you think of the tips given in the video? Do you use any of these in your home already? Have you spoken to your DCs about fire safety in your home? What do you do in the way of fire safety? Do you have a fire blanket in your kitchen in case of emergencies? Or maybe you just make sure that you keep any candles out of reach of small children? Whatever it is to improve fire safety in your home we’d love to hear about it.

Everyone who adds their comments will be entered into a prize draw to win a £240 Amazon voucher.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ
OP posts:
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ShatnersBassoon · 02/12/2013 11:26

We have a fire escape plan that the children are aware of. It's not something that we bang on about or frighten them with, but I'm confident they could get themselves out even if DH and I couldn't help them.

We have a wood-burning stove which obviously increases our risk of a house fire, but we make sure the chimney is swept regularly. I think having this makes our children more conscious of the danger of fire because it serves as a constant reminder - they know that it's not something to mess around with, plus they don't find fire especially exciting as some of their friends do who aren't used to seeing real fires.

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MaryXYX · 02/12/2013 13:04

It's a bit different for me now. I live in a flat that only has electricity, which should reduce the risks. Mind, the first weekend I moved in I set fire to my microwave by over cooking a Christmas Pudding!

I don't smoke or use candles so my risk level should be pretty low (out of Christmas Pudding season ...)

One point I'm not entirely happy about is the standing orders for the flats: "If the fire alarm sounds, stay in your flat".

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WaitingForPeterWimsey · 02/12/2013 15:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AuntieBulgaria · 02/12/2013 16:11

I'm a fire warden at work and after I'd attended a fire safety / awareness course there, I bought a small powder fire extinguisher and fire blanket for home, both of which are in the kitchen.

The training made me feel confident enough in the operation and use of the extinguisher to think it was worth having.

DD (6) is familiar with the fire escape plan at her childminders and they have done fire drills to practice, so we have discussed (but not practised) a similar thing at home.

Following the training, I also now keep our house keys (locked) in the front door at night, so if we were to need to get out in a hurry, we're not scrabbling around for the keys.

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teenagetantrums · 02/12/2013 16:20

We have had plan since mine were young, we live in a flat with no way out except the front door, if there is a fire in the hall my DS knows to stay in his room and open the window to shout for help, we are to high up to jump. My DD could climb out of her window and stand on the balcony. They both know to Feel the door before they open them to see if they are warm.

We have a fire door on a chain for the kitchen, i am guilty of wedging it open must go back to closing it before bed.

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TiredDog · 02/12/2013 16:28

I've just had some rewriting as I'm aware that electrical fires are v common.

I have one smoke alarm but only test yearly. We have considered escape routes and discussed with DC. I think this is very important. I've made it clear that kids leave without stopping to gather belongings, phone or dog. I have my mobile at all times so would phone the 999 once out. There is always a key by the door or in the door.

Candles are mostly enclosed in holders so no stray skirts catching alight.

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wannabedomesticgoddess · 02/12/2013 16:29

We don't have a real fire and we have no need for matches, so we don't keep them in the house. We have one lighter for birthday candles. Now and again I will light some tea lights, but I am super paranoid about them and will only light them if I know I won't be leaving that room for a while.

Our DDs are too young to explain the fire drill to, but we are lucky enough to have our back door upstairs, so I feel that it would be a lot easier to get out, should we have to.

Our smoke alarm is also super sensitive. Just the oven being on is enough to set it off some days.

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redgate · 02/12/2013 16:45

We had a free check from the fire brigade, they helped us do a plan and they also are aware that my little one uses a wheelchair and can flag our address on their system to show we can't leave quickly. Great idea about making the key bright, will do that - we have a window key on a little hook but will think about making it easier to spot.

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olaybiscuitbarrel · 02/12/2013 17:30

I always shut the downstairs doors before going to bed, keep the key to the back door in a low cupboard next to the door (so it's not visible or reachable from a burglary pov but easy to find in a fire), and have the alan key for our bedroom window next to the bed (it's at perfect height for a child to fall out of so we have to keep it locked). Also turn off plug sockets at the wall where practical.
An ex-fire officer once told me that if you have to get out of an upstairs window with a baby, take the duvet off the bed, open the cover and pile the duvet in one corner. Then place the baby on top of the duvet and lower out of the window. He also said that lots of people break their legs jumping out of the window when they could have sat on the ledge and just lowered themselves down, but they just panic - which is why it'ssucha good idea to think about what you would do in advance.

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CheeseTMouse · 02/12/2013 17:56

We have a fire blanket in the kitchen and smoke alarms. I hadn't thought about things like the spare key tip, so we will do that.

I am paranoid about decorative candles and leaving them on, so I just won't have them on the house. Similarly I won't fry chips in oil either as I get worried...

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KnitActually · 02/12/2013 20:43

when we got our windows replaced we chose less attractive styles that could act as a fire exit. I was surprised to hear that, although the regulation for new build is for the fire exit type to be compulsory, people who were replacing a non-safe window were perfectly at their leisure to do so.

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KnitActually · 02/12/2013 20:43

that is, replacing a non-safe window with a non-safe window

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missorinoco · 02/12/2013 21:39

This has reminded me to get my smoke alarms fixed.
All matches and candles are at adult height. Candles are only lit when the children are in bed, excepting Halloween and Xmas, and at those times we are present in the room.

No fire blanket.
I don't have a fire escape plan with the DC, I think they are too small, but would consider it when they are a little older.

All keys kept in a key pot. I like the idea of a spare key, but DH would pinch it when he had forgotten his and then forget to tell me.....

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sharond101 · 02/12/2013 21:52

We are in a new house and haven't revised our fire plan so that's on the to do list now. Thanks for reminding me.

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Spirael · 02/12/2013 22:00

This is actually something I've been considering recently, as we are a three storey house and early next year we are planning on moving DD to the top floor in order to make space on the second floor for when her sibling is born.

I am currently researching getting an emergency escape ladder to keep on the top floor, in case a fire is blocking any escape down the stairs. Hopefully it'll just sit and gather dust! Semi related, I also want to build another emergency grab-bag for first aid to keep on the top floor.

Aside from that, we already have a fire blanket in the kitchen and I keep a powder fire extinguisher downstairs too. However after having done a fire safety course at work and seen the different extinguishers in action, I want to upgrade that to a carbon dioxide extinguisher!

At every external door we have a key within easy grabbing range from the inside, though hidden from any burglars. We're lucky enough to have a very modern house with fire alarms that are all connected, so if one sounds they'll all sound. Lastly, I have a separate carbon monoxide alarm near the boiler/hob.

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tiredoftrains · 02/12/2013 22:08

We have an open fire which, whilst lovely, does make me worry about fires. DS is only 3 but has had it drilled into him that fires are extremely dangerous and he is not to go near which thankfully he seems to respect!

we have 3 fire alarms which I set a reminder on my phone to check monthly as otherwise I forget.

We don't have any fire blankets or extinguishers - my strategy would be to grab DS and run!

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CMOTDibbler · 02/12/2013 22:12

We have a fire plan, mains smoke alarms in several places, fire extinguisher, and are very careful about candles etc.

DH works in insurance, and so is super paranoid about house fires

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HappySunflower · 02/12/2013 22:41

I think the tips are good common sense, some I use, but there are some that I hadn't thought of before.
I have spoken to my child about basic safety, not going near the cooker, etc but nothing more specific as she is very little.
I have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen but not a fire blanket. Will get one now though I think.
I keep a torch in my bedroom and in the hallway and make sure that candles are not at child or cat height.

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Hopezibah · 02/12/2013 23:35

What do you think of the tips given in the video?
I like the idea about a key in a drawer. Our window keys always seem to go missing so might be good to do that!

Do you use any of these in your home already?

yes we check alarms very regularly.
we have a meeting point too.

Have you spoken to your DCs about fire safety in your home?
yes - and we practice a fire drill too. We let them practice unlocking the door with a key in case they ever need to in the middle of the night.

What do you do in the way of fire safety? Do you have a fire blanket in your kitchen in case of emergencies? Or maybe you just make sure that you keep any candles out of reach of small children?

yes we have a fire blanket in kitchen, I used to childmind and it was a requirement but have kept it there for our own use (well actually I hope we will never need to use it). we keep candles high up out of reach.

we also vacuum the smoke alarms once in a while as the fire officer said that helps keep dust away from the sensors.

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Steffanoid · 02/12/2013 23:48

we have a fire blanket, no alarms though. im ashamed of that,I have the forms from the fire service as they fit alarms for free but it is right at the back of my mind and I remember at completely innapropriate times Blush

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NicNak71 · 02/12/2013 23:54

We have an evacuation plan and a flexi ladder made especially as a fire escape ladder, it attaches quickly to the wall and goes out the window. It's like a rope ladder, but obviously made from fire resistant stuff, just in case the fire is downstairs and we can't escape that way. We always keep a torch with our door key attached to it on a ring and bring a mobile phone upstairs at night.

I switch off all the plugs at night and close all the downstairs doors. We also do "Thumbs up on Monday", put your thumb up and test the smoke alarms every Monday, this was a campaign by the fire brigade and we still get the adverts on tv a lot. I also invested in a carbon monoxide detector last year.

I have a fire blanket on the kitchen wall and a small fire extinguisher. If we light the fire, we always let it die down late evening, rake it out and put the fire screen in front of it.

I do love candles and I do burn them, but never within reach of the children, double checking that they are out is part of my night time routine. I generally only buy jarred candles or put them inside a hurricane lamp. I never tend to burn exposed candles.

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telsa · 03/12/2013 09:18

We have good quality fire doors in our flat, so any fire should be contained for some time. The children know the fire drill and we have talked through the best things to do. Luckily we are ground floor with lots of windows.

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BertieBowtiesAreCool · 03/12/2013 09:25

Steffan you can pick them up at supermarkets for about a fiver, stick one in the trolley next time you go shopping :)

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30SecondsToVenus · 03/12/2013 09:33

I check my smoke alarm every couple of weeks and I have recently bought a fire blanket for the kitchen.

My dcs are very young (4 and 5 months) so I havent had a chat about fire safety yet but its something I will do in the future. Its interesting to read other peoples thoughts on fire safety in the home.

I am careful not to leave phones and tablets charging overnight and I ensure that everything is switched off properly before I go to bed at night. I dont leave anything near the fire and always have the guard up regardless of dcs being in bed or not. Its something ivr always been concerned about and I keep a key next to me at night incase we ever have to escape

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Fairylea · 03/12/2013 10:16

We are very fire conscious and we do alot of the tips in the video.

Dd knows how to get out and what to do in a fire. Its really important people talk to their dc about what to do. We're all so worried about stranger danger these days we forget about house fires which are far more likely!

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